42 U.S. Code § 12838 - Environmental review

In order to assure that the policies of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and other provisions of law which further the purposes of such Act (as specified in regulations issued by the Secretary) are most effectively implemented in connection with the expenditure of funds under this subchapter, and to assure to the public undiminished protection of the environment, the Secretary, in lieu of the environmental protection procedures otherwise applicable, may under regulations provide for the release of funds for particular projects to jurisdictions or insular areas under this subchapter who assume all of the responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and action pursuant to such Act, and such other provisions of law as the regulations of the Secretary specify, that would apply to the Secretary were he to undertake such projects as Federal projects. The Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this section only after consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality. The regulations shall provide—

(1)for the monitoring of the environmental reviews performed under this section;

(2)in the discretion of the Secretary, to facilitate training for the performance of such reviews; and

(3)for the suspension or termination of the assumption under this section.

The Secretary’s duty under the preceding sentence shall not be construed to limit or reduce any responsibility assumed by a State or unit of general local government with respect to any particular release of funds.

(b) Procedure

The Secretary shall approve the release of funds subject to the procedures authorized by this section only if, at least 15 days prior to such approval and prior to any commitment of funds to such projects [1] the jurisdiction or insular area has submitted to the Secretary a request for such release accompanied by a certification which meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. The Secretary’s approval of any such certification shall be deemed to satisfy his responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and such other provisions of law as the regulations of the Secretary specify insofar as those responsibilities relate to the releases of funds for projects to be carried out pursuant thereto which are covered by such certification.

(c) Certification

A certification under the procedures authorized by this section shall—

(1)be in a form acceptable to the Secretary,

(2)be executed by the chief executive officer or other officer of the recipient of assistance under this subchapter qualified under regulations of the Secretary,

(3)specify that the recipient of assistance under this subchapter has fully carried out its responsibilities as described under subsection (a) of this section, and

(4)specify that the certifying officer

(A) consents to assume the status of a responsible Federal official under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and each provision of law specified in regulations issued by the Secretary insofar as the provisions of such Act or other such provision of law apply pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and

(B) is authorized and consents on behalf of the jurisdiction or insular area and himself to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal courts for the purpose of enforcement of his responsibilities as such an official.

(d) Assistance to units of general local government from a State

In the case of assistance to units of general local government from a State, the State shall perform those actions of the Secretary described in subsection (b) of this section and the performance of such actions shall be deemed to satisfy the Secretary’s responsibilities referred to in the second sentence of such subsection.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b), and (c)(4), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
4321 of this title and Tables.

“(1) for the monitoring of the environmental reviews performed under this section;

“(2) in the discretion of the Secretary, to facilitate training for the performance of such reviews; and

“(3) for the suspension or termination of the assumption under this section.

The Secretary’s duty under the preceding sentence shall not be construed to limit or reduce any responsibility assumed by a State or unit of general local government with respect to any particular release of funds.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–233, § 206(4), substituted “Assistance to units of general local government from a State” for “Assistance to a State” in heading and “In the case of assistance to units of general local government from a State” for “In the case of assistance to States” in text.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–330effective Oct. 1, 1997, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 107 ofPub. L. 104–330, set out as an Effective Date note under section
4101 of Title
25, Indians.

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–330applicable with respect to amounts made available for assistance under this subchapter for fiscal year 1998 and fiscal years thereafter, see section 505(b) ofPub. L. 104–330, set out as a note under section
12747 of this title.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–233applicable with respect to any amounts made available to carry out this subchapter after Apr. 11, 1994, and any amounts made available to carry out this subchapter before that date that remain uncommitted on that date, with Secretary to issue any regulations necessary to carry out such amendment not later than end of 45-day period beginning on that date, see section 209 ofPub. L. 103–233, set out as a note under section
5301 of this title.